Richard FarleySoccer editor at SBNation.comHost of the World Cup Buzz, EPL Talk and MLS Talk podcasts

Who is your favorite national team?

Definitely the U.S. It's a weird feeling for me, though. I used to hear writers all the time use clichés like "but once the match starts" they become fans. That really does happen, now, with me. Most people know I'm not afraid to put the national team under the microscope, but I admit to cheering just like everybody else when Conor Casey found those goals in San Pedro Sula.

If your team gets knocked out, who do you follow then?

Spain and the Netherlands with the hope that we have a new winner; Brazil, because I'm arrogant and want my picks to be right; South Korea, because of their style and it would go the global game good to have another power, from another part of the world.

Who is in the final and who is going to win?

Brazil over Spain. That's the kind of original analysis I'm known for. Spain plays Barcelona to Brazil's Internazionale.

Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?

Sami Khedira, as he excels the space vacated by Michael Ballack; Marek Hamsik, leading Slovakia into the quarterfinals in their first major tournament; Lucas Barrios, filling in for Salvador Cabañas; Giovani dos Santos, as Mexico goes on a long run and people ask "why doesn't he play like this at the club-level?"

How will the USA do?

They'll disappoint those expecting them to advance, but they'll play very well. Slovenia is a very tough match-up for them, and that (along with their defense) will be their undoing, but I expect strong performances from Donovan and Bradley (in particular).

Which team do you love to see get beat?

Raymond Domenech is difficult to like. Feel sorry for? Yes. Like? No. I apologize to those who support Les Blues, but I would like to see this France-thign put to rest. Let the FFF move-on to the Blanc-era.

Slovenia. My top two eggs are in one basket there. Then, New Zealand. Basically, barring a miracle, I'll have to develop a line of succession that's much longer than what this question allows for.

Who is in the final and who is going to win?

While Duncan Oughton is surely hoping that New Zealand can regain its independence by defeating Australia in the final, I think one of the usual handful of finalists will defeat one of the other usual handful of finalists. Sorry, Dunc. Looks like another offseason of indentured opal mining for you.

Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?

Whoever the first player is that celebrates a goal by running to the stands, joyously reaching into the crowd for a vuvuzela, and then angrily breaks it over his knee like Bo Jackson after a strikeout. Instant hero the world over.

How will the USA do?

With Edson Buddle, all things are possible.

Which team do you love to see get beat?

England, France, Italy and Serbia. Normally I'd say Mexico, but there's a microscopic chance we could be meet them in a quarterfinal, so I won't root against that 2-0 victory just yet.

Probably Argentina, but I really want an African team to go far. I wish I could say Côte d'Ivoire but they have two strikes against them. #1 an injured Drogba, #2 a prima donna, self-serving manager named Sven-Göran Eriksson.

Who is in the final and who is going to win?

Brazil v Spain and it's a summer of magical for Español.

Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?

If I told you it would no longer be a surprise. Seriously, Tony Sanneh recently said, every team that's successful in the WC seems to have one unlikely player who steps up and makes an impact. I really have no idea.

How will the USA do?

Makes it out of the group as #2 - Plays Germany and beats them in the round of 16- Gets dumped in the quarterfinals by Argentina. I know! ... that's very wishful thinking.

At the risk of sounding like a front-runner, Brazil. Excuse: I live in a city with a large Brazilian population and my mother-in-law lived in Brazil for several years.

Who is in the final and who is going to win?

Brazil and someone else, and Brazil I guess. Is it obnoxiously provincial of me to say once the US is out of it, I'm only in it for the entertainment and don't especially care who wins? (okay, provided it's not England)

Who will be the surprise breakout players of the tournament?

Tony Lochhead

How will the USA do?

Either second or third round. An Italian friend of mine, after seeing how annoyed I was in 2006, told me that the rule is that if the WC is in Europe, it's boring European teams that win, but if it's outside of Europe, anything goes. Let's just say I'm looking forward to the ride this year and in 2014.

Which team do you love to see get beat?

Every other gimmicky Outlaw/Sammer will say Mexico, so I'll go against the grain and say England. Mexico, at least their fans get it when they win, and we've got a lot more in common with our CONCACAF brothers than anyone on either side of the border wants to admit. England, though, it's hard for me to see anyone involved there as anything but spoiled, whiny, and unpleasant.

I think they will make it out of the group stage. But after that I really don't know. Whether they match up against the Germans or Ghana, I think the US will definitely relish a rematch with those either of those two.